IB DP1 Physics Answers and Explanations

01. Measurement and Uncertainty

1. Answer: A. To indicate the precision of the measurement

Explanation: Significant figures reflect the precision of a measurement. The number of significant figures indicates how
precise a measurement is and how much confidence we can have in its accuracy.
2. Answer: B. 3
Explanation: The number 0.00450 has three significant figures: the digits 4, 5, and the final 0 (which is significant because
it follows a decimal point and a non-zero digit).
3. Answer: C. ± 0.1 cm
Explanation: The uncertainty is the value after the ± symbol. Here, it indicates that the measurement could vary by 0.1
cm above or below the measured value.
4. Answer: A. Add the absolute uncertainties
Explanation: When adding or subtracting measurements, the uncertainties are combined by adding the absolute
uncertainties of each measurement.
5. Answer: C. 10.00 ± 0.20 m
Explanation: The relative uncertainty is the absolute uncertainty divided by the measurement. For option C, the relative
uncertainty is 0.20/10.00 = 0.02 (or 2%), which is the smallest relative uncertainty among the options.
6. Answer: A. (Absolute uncertainty / Measurement) × 100%
Explanation: The percentage uncertainty is calculated by dividing the absolute uncertainty by the measured value and
multiplying by 100 to express it as a percentage.
7. Answer: C. 2.4%
Explanation: Percentage uncertainty = (0.3 / 12.5) × 100% = 2.4%.
8. Answer: D. 9.00 ± 0.20
Explanation: When multiplying, the percentage uncertainties are added. The product of the measurements is 4.50 × 2.00
= 9.00. The percentage uncertainties are (0.10/4.50) × 100% = 2.22% and (0.05/2.00) × 100% = 2.5%. Adding these gives
4.72%, so the absolute uncertainty is 4.72% of 9.00, which is approximately ±0.20.
9. Answer: B. Miscalibration of an instrument
Explanation: Systematic errors are consistent and repeatable inaccuracies that occur due to flaws in the measurement
system, such as miscalibration.
10. Answer: C. Variations in repeated measurements due to environmental conditions
Explanation: Random errors are caused by unpredictable variations in the experimental conditions, such as slight changes
in temperature, pressure, or human error.
11. Answer: B. Take multiple measurements and average them
Explanation: Random errors can be reduced by taking multiple measurements and averaging them, which helps cancel
out unpredictable variations.
12. Answer: A. The closeness of repeated measurements to each other
Explanation: Precision refers to how closely repeated measurements agree with each other, irrespective of their closeness
to the true value.
13. Answer: B. It causes the measured values to be consistently too high or too low
Explanation: Systematic errors cause a consistent bias in the measurements, either making them all too high or too low
compared to the true value.
14. Answer: C. Recalibrate the instruments
Explanation: Systematic errors can be minimized or eliminated by recalibrating the instruments to ensure they measure
accurately.
15. Answer: B. A systematic error
Explanation: A consistent bias in the measurements, where they are always lower than the true value, indicates a
systematic error.
16. Answer: C. It decreases the percentage uncertainty
Explanation: Increasing the number of significant figures makes the measurement more precise, which typically reduces
the percentage uncertainty.
17. Answer: A. The agreement of a measurement with the true value
Explanation: Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the actual or true value.
18. Answer: C. Carefully calibrate all instruments before use
Explanation: Systematic errors are best reduced by ensuring that all instruments are properly calibrated, so they measure
accurately.
19. Answer: B. ± 0.02 g
Explanation: The absolute uncertainty is the ± value that indicates the range within which the true value is expected to lie.
20. Answer: B. ± 0.1 mm
Explanation: The uncertainty of a measurement with a ruler is typically half of the smallest division, so if it is marked in
millimeters, the uncertainty is ±0.5 mm, commonly rounded to ±0.1 mm for significant figures.

02. Measurement and Uncertainty

1. Answer: A. Newton (N)

Explanation: The SI unit of force is the Newton (N), which is defined as the force required to accelerate a 1 kg mass by 1
 m/s².
2. Answer: A. 40 km/h
Explanation: The average speed is found by dividing the total distance by the total time. The time for the first part is 60
km / 30 km/h = 2 hours, and for the second part is 60 km / 60 km/h = 1 hour. Total time = 3 hours. Total distance = 120
km. Average speed = 120 km / 3 hours = 40 km/h.
3. Answer: A. An object will remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by a net external force.
Explanation: Newton’s First Law, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object will remain at rest or continue
moving in a straight line at a constant speed unless acted upon by a net external force.
4. Answer: B. 5 m/s²
Explanation: Using Newton’s Second Law, = , the acceleration is given by = = = 5 m/s .
5. Answer: C. 20 m/s
Explanation: The ball returns to the same height with the same speed but in the opposite direction due to conservation of
energy (neglecting air resistance).
6. Answer: A. Its acceleration is constant.
Explanation: In free fall near the Earth's surface, the acceleration due to gravity is constant at approximately 9.81 m/s².
7. Answer: A. The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.
Explanation: Inertia is the property of matter that causes it to resist any change in its motion, whether that means staying
at rest or continuing to move in a straight line at a constant speed.
8. Answer: C. 9 J
Explanation: The kinetic energy = . Here, = × 2 kg × 3 = 9 J.
9. Answer: C. Its acceleration is constant.
Explanation: On a frictionless incline, the only force acting on the block is the component of gravity along the incline,
which provides a constant acceleration.
10. Answer: B. It halves.
Explanation: According to Newton's Second Law, = / . If the mass is doubled and the force remains constant, the
acceleration is halved.
11. Answer: D. Speed
Explanation: Speed is a scalar quantity because it has magnitude but no direction, unlike velocity, which is a vector
quantity.
12. Answer: B. It is directed towards the centre of the circle.
Explanation: The acceleration of an object moving in a circular path at constant speed is centripetal acceleration, which
is directed towards the centre of the circle.
13. Answer: A. It is always conserved in elastic collisions.
Explanation: In elastic collisions, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
14. Answer: D. 50 J
Explanation: Work done " = × # = 10 N × 5 m = 50 J.
15. Answer: B. It depends on the square of the distance between two masses.
Explanation: According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the gravitational force is inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between the two masses.
16. Answer: C. The gravitational force acts as a centripetal force.
Explanation: The gravitational force between the Earth and the satellite provides the necessary centripetal force that keeps
the satellite in orbit.
17. Answer: B. 4
)*+,-.
Explanation: The mechanical advantage '( = )/00+12. = = 4.
18. Answer: C. Force equals mass times acceleration.
Explanation: Newton's Second Law of Motion states = .
19. Answer: C. The same as its initial horizontal velocity
Explanation: The horizontal velocity of a projectile remains constant (neglecting air resistance) since there are no
horizontal forces acting on it.
20. Answer: C. Both the sum of forces and the sum of torques on an object are zero.
Explanation: An object is in equilibrium when the net force and net torque acting on it are both zero, meaning it has no
linear or rotational acceleration.

03. Thermal Physics

1. Answer: C. Kelvin (K)

Explanation: The SI unit of temperature is Kelvin (K). Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F) are not SI units but are commonly
used. Joule (J) is the SI unit of energy.
2. Answer: D. Evaporation
Explanation: Evaporation is the process where a liquid changes into a gas. Melting is the change from solid to liquid,
freezing is from liquid to solid, and condensation is from gas to liquid.
3. Answer: C. First Law of Thermodynamics
Explanation: The First Law of Thermodynamics states that the total internal energy of a system is the sum of the kinetic
and potential energies of the particles. Boyle’s Law and Charles’s Law deal with the relationships between pressure,
volume, and temperature, while the Second Law of Thermodynamics concerns entropy.
 4. Answer: A. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of the substance by 1 K.
Explanation: Specific heat capacity is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of the
substance by 1 K (or 1°C, since the difference between K and °C is the same).
5. Answer: B. The collisions between the molecules are perfectly elastic.
Explanation: In an ideal gas, the collisions between molecules are perfectly elastic, meaning no kinetic energy is lost.
Ideal gases are assumed not to have intermolecular forces and to have negligible volume.
6. Answer: B. The pressure increases.
Explanation: For a fixed mass of gas at constant volume, increasing the temperature will increase the pressure according
to the ideal gas law (P ∝ T when V is constant).
7. Answer: B. A process where the temperature remains constant.
Explanation: An isothermal process is one where the temperature remains constant. Isochoric means constant volume,
isobaric means constant pressure, and adiabatic means no heat exchange.
8. Answer: C. The temperature of the gas.
Explanation: For an ideal gas, the total internal energy is directly proportional to the temperature of the gas. The internal
energy of an ideal gas is not directly proportional to pressure, volume, or number of molecules, but temperature.
9. Answer: C. The transfer of heat through direct contact between particles.
Explanation: Heat conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between particles of a substance, without the
movement of the substance itself. Convection involves bulk motion of fluid, and radiation involves electromagnetic waves.
10. Answer: B. It is the heat required to convert 1 kg of a substance from solid to liquid without changing its temperature.
Explanation: The specific latent heat of fusion is the heat required to convert 1 kg of a substance from solid to liquid at its
melting point, without changing temperature.
11. Answer: B. Isobaric process
Explanation: An isobaric process is one in which the pressure remains constant. Isochoric means constant volume,
isothermal means constant temperature, and adiabatic means no heat exchange.
12. Answer: C. When a large amount of heat is added to a substance with a low specific heat capacity.
Explanation: A substance with a low specific heat capacity will experience a larger increase in temperature when a large
amount of heat is added, compared to a substance with a high specific heat capacity.
13. Answer: A. Two objects are at the same temperature and no heat flows between them.
Explanation: Thermal equilibrium occurs when two objects are at the same temperature, and there is no net heat flow
between them.
14. Answer: A. The heating of water in a pot on a stove.
Explanation: Convection is the transfer of heat through fluid motion, such as the heating of water in a pot, where the fluid
itself moves to transfer heat. Conduction involves direct contact, and radiation involves electromagnetic waves.
15. Answer: B. It absorbs all incident radiation.
Explanation: A blackbody is an idealized physical body that absorbs all incident radiation and emits radiation according
to its temperature. It does not reflect or emit only visible radiation.
16. Answer: B. The square root of the temperature of the gas.
The root mean square (rms) speed of gas molecules is proportional to the square root of the temperature of the gas. It is not
directly proportional to the square of the temperature.
17. Answer: A. A process in which no heat is exchanged with the surroundings.
Explanation: An adiabatic process is one where no heat is exchanged with the surroundings. The temperature and pressure
may change, but heat transfer does not occur.
18. Answer: B. It increases.
Explanation: In an adiabatic compression of an ideal gas, the internal energy of the gas increases because the work done
on the gas increases its temperature.
19. Answer: C. The entropy of a closed system always increases or remains the same.
Explanation: The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that the entropy of a closed system either increases or remains
the same; it never decreases.
20. Answer: C. Radiation
Explanation: Radiation involves the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. Conduction and convection involve
physical transfer of heat through matter, while evaporation is a phase change process.

04. Waves

1. Answer: A. The distance traveled by the wave per unit time

The speed of a wave is the distance it travels per unit time. It is calculated by Speed = Wavelength × Frequency.
2. Answer: D. Amplitude
Explanation: Amplitude is a property of a wave but is not involved in defining the speed, frequency, or wavelength of a
wave. The other options are fundamental wave properties.
3. Answer: D. Mechanical waves
Explanation: Mechanical waves, such as sound waves, require a medium to propagate. Electromagnetic waves, such as
light, do not require a medium.
4. Answer: B. Longitudinal waves
Explanation: In longitudinal waves, particles move parallel to the direction of wave propagation. Transverse waves have
particles moving perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
5. Answer: A. Hertz (Hz)
Explanation: Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz), which denotes cycles per second.
 6. Answer: B. It halves
Explanation: The speed of a wave is related to its frequency and wavelength by the equation FGHH# =
Wavelength × Frequency. If frequency doubles, wavelength must halve to keep the speed constant.
7. Answer: B. Light wave
Explanation: Light waves are transverse waves, where oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of wave
propagation. Sound waves are longitudinal.
8. Answer: C. Wavelength
Explanation: Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive crests (or troughs) of a wave.
9. Answer: B. Interference
Explanation: Interference occurs when two or more waves combine to form a new wave pattern, which can be
constructive or destructive.
10. Answer: B. It can result in constructive or destructive effects
Explanation: Wave interference can lead to constructive interference (waves add up) or destructive interference (waves
cancel out).
11. Answer: A. Nodes
Explanation: In a standing wave, nodes are the points that remain stationary, while antinodes are points of maximum
displacement.
12. Answer: C. Diffraction
Explanation: Diffraction refers to the bending of waves around obstacles and through openings. It occurs with all types
of waves.
13. Answer: B. The speed decreases
Explanation: When a wave moves from a lower density medium to a higher density medium, its speed decreases,
although the frequency remains constant.
14. Answer: C. Amplitude
Explanation: The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position. It is a measure of
the wave's energy.
15. Answer: D. Period
Explanation: The period is the time it takes for one complete cycle of the wave to pass a given point. Frequency is the
reciprocal of the period.
16. Answer: C. The Law of Reflection
Explanation: The Law of Reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
17. Answer: C. Refraction
Explanation: Refraction is the change in direction of a wave when it passes from one medium to another due to a change
in speed.
18. Answer: A. 0°
Explanation: If two waves are in phase, their phase difference is 0° (or any multiple of 360°).
19. Answer: A. The change in frequency of a wave as the source and observer move relative to each other
Explanation: The Doppler effect describes the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer
moving relative to the source.
20. Answer: C. 10 m/s
Explanation: Speed is calculated using the formula FGHH# = Wavelength × Frequency. For a frequency of 5 Hz and
wavelength of 2 meters, the speed is 5 Hz × 2 m = 10 m/s.

05. Electricity and Magnetism

1. Answer: B. Ampere (A)

Explanation: The unit of electric current is the Ampere (A). Volt (V) is the unit of electric potential, Ohm (Ω) is the unit
of resistance, and Coulomb (C) is the unit of electric charge.
2. Answer: B. The voltage across the points
Explanation: Ohm's Law states that the current M through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage N across it,
O
given by M = , where R is the resistance.
P
3. Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: The resistance of a conductor depends on its length, cross-sectional area, and material (resistivity).
4. Answer: C. Capacitor
Explanation: A capacitor stores electrical energy in an electric field between its plates. An inductor stores energy in a
magnetic field.
5. Answer: A. Watt (W)
Explanation: The unit of electrical power is the Watt (W). Power is calculated as Q = N × M, where N is voltage and M is
current.
6. Answer: A. The sum of the individual resistances
Explanation: In a series circuit, the total resistance is the sum of the individual resistances: RSTSUV = R + R + ⋯ + RY.
7. Answer: A. Ohm’s Law
Explanation: Ohm’s Law describes the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit: N = M × R.
8. Answer: A. The sum of the currents through each branch
Explanation: In a parallel circuit, the total current is the sum of the currents through each parallel branch.
 9. Answer: B. A circular pattern
Explanation: The magnetic field around a current-carrying wire forms concentric circles around the wire.
10. Answer: A. Coulomb’s Law
[ [
Explanation: Coulomb’s Law describes the force between two point charges: = Z ]\ , where ^ and ^ are the
charges, _ is the distance between them, and Z is Coulomb’s constant.
11. Answer: B. A moving electric charge
Explanation: A magnetic field is produced by a moving electric charge (current) or a changing electric field.
12. Answer: B. The drift velocity formula
Explanation: The electric field in a conductor is related to the drift velocity ` of the charge carriers by = ` × a,
where a is the magnetic field strength.
13. Answer: A. bN
Explanation: The energy stored in a capacitor is given by = bN , where b is capacitance and N is the voltage.
14. Answer: D. Number of turns in the secondary coil to the number of turns in the primary coil
Explanation: In an ideal transformer, the ratio of the primary voltage to the secondary voltage is equal to the ratio of the
number of turns in the secondary coil to the number of turns in the primary coil.
15. Answer: D. Volt (V)
Explanation: The unit of electric potential is the Volt (V). It measures the potential energy per unit charge.
16. Answer: C. It increases
Explanation: The magnetic field inside a solenoid increases as the current increases, proportional to the current.
17. Answer: D. All of the above
O
Explanation: The power dissipated in a resistor can be calculated using Q = M R, Q = P , or Q = N × M, depending on
what quantities are known.
18. Answer: B. The velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field
Explanation: A moving charged particle experiences a magnetic force only if its velocity is perpendicular to the
magnetic field. If parallel, the force is zero.
19. Answer: B. Conservation of charge
Explanation: Kirchhoff’s First Law (current law) is based on the conservation of charge, stating that the total current
entering a junction equals the total current leaving.
20. Answer: B. Be out of phase by 90°
Explanation: In an AC circuit, the voltage across a capacitor lags the current by 90° .

06. Gravitation and Circular Motion

1. Answer: B. The frictional force

Explanation: On a flat circular track, the frictional force between the tires and the road provides the necessary
centripetal force.
2. Answer: B. Velocity
Explanation: Although the speed of an object in uniform circular motion remains constant, the velocity changes because
its direction is continuously changing.
3. Answer: B. = c ]\
Explanation: Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation states that the gravitational force between two point-masses is
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
4. Answer: D. Inversely proportional to the square of the distance
Explanation: The gravitational force between two objects decreases as the square of the distance between them increases.
5. Answer: B. The satellite's acceleration is directed toward the centre of the Earth.
Explanation: In a stable orbit, the satellite is continuously accelerating toward the centre of the Earth due to gravity, even
though its speed remains constant.
6. Answer: D. The period increases by a factor of 2.
Explanation: According to Kepler’s Third Law, the square of the orbital period is proportional to the cube of the radius
of the orbit. Doubling the radius increases the period by a factor of 2√2.
7. Answer: B. The velocity required to escape the gravitational pull of the planet without any further propulsion.
Explanation: Escape velocity is the minimum speed needed for an object to escape the gravitational influence of a celestial
body without further propulsion.
8. Answer: A. Speed
Explanation: In uniform circular motion, the speed remains constant while the direction (and thus the velocity) changes.
9. Answer: B. It decreases with _ .
Explanation: The gravitational field strength decreases as the square of the distance from the point mass.
10. Answer: C. Inward toward the centre of the circle
Explanation: The acceleration of an object in uniform circular motion is always directed toward the centre of the circular
path.
11. Answer: C. The force is quadrupled.
Explanation: The gravitational force is directly proportional to the product of the two masses. Doubling both masses
quadruples the gravitational force.
12. Answer: D. No energy conversion occurs.
 Explanation: In a circular orbit, the kinetic energy and potential energy remain constant, so no energy conversion occurs.
13. Answer: B. The objects are very far apart.
Explanation: Gravitational potential energy is negative, and its magnitude decreases as the distance between objects
increases, making the potential energy less negative (greater in value).
14. Answer: D. It acts between any two objects with mass, regardless of distance.
Explanation: Gravitational force acts between any two masses, no matter how far apart they are, though it weakens with
distance.
15. Answer: C. The speed increases.
Explanation: As a satellite moves closer to the Earth, the gravitational pull increases, leading to an increase in orbital
speed to maintain the orbit.
16. Answer: C. An apparent force that seems to act outward on a body moving in a circular path.
Explanation: Centrifugal force is not a real force but an apparent force perceived in a rotating reference frame.
17. Answer: B. The length of the pendulum
Explanation: The period of a simple pendulum depends primarily on the length of the pendulum and the acceleration due
to gravity.
18. Answer: C. 11.2 km/s
Explanation: The escape velocity from Earth is approximately 11.2 km/s.
19. Answer: B. Planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus.
Explanation: Kepler's First Law states that planets orbit the Sun in an elliptical path with the Sun at one of the foci.
20. Answer: B. An orbit in which the satellite orbits the Earth once every 24 hours.
Explanation: A geostationary orbit is a circular orbit directly above the Earth's equator, in which the satellite takes exactly
24 hours to complete one orbit, making it appear stationary relative to the Earth's surface.